If you go down to the woods today...
In summer 2006, a partnership between The Woodland Trust, Newry & Mourne District Council, Groundwork Northern Ireland and local people was created to reduce the antisocial behaviour in the woods, and to encourage everyone to use the site as a recreational and educational resource.
The woods of Daisy Hill overlook Newry, a city that straddles Co Down and Co Armagh.
In summer 2006, a partnership between The Woodland Trust, Newry & Mourne District Council, Groundwork Northern Ireland and local people was created to reduce the antisocial behaviour in the woods, and to encourage everyone to use the site as a recreational and educational resource.
Nigel Gray - M&S Regional Manager, Northern Ireland & The Isle of Man.
The first challenge was the entrance; the local council commissioned two wooden sculptures of a young boy and girl with daisies at their feet to welcome people to the woods.
There were environmental issues as well. Being on a hill, rainwater used to come off the site and flood the houses below. New drains put in by the council have alleviated the problem.
The council also upgraded existing paths and created new ones. Overhanging vegetation was cut away so walkers could have a clear view of the path ahead and through the trees.
The area used to be a plant nursery. As a result, there are a lot of exotic species, some of which are very invasive; some also cast a dense shade that inhibits the regeneration of the trees. A lot of the trees are non-native, so the group have been replanting the area with native trees like oak and ash.
A key aim of the partnership, as with many Groundwork projects, is to involve local people. There were good turnouts at two public meetings and most of the practical tasks - like tree, hedge and wildflower planting - get lots of volunteers.
Local children get involved, too. 6 of the 7 local primary schools sent a class to see The Green Machine, a 40ft lorry owned by Conservation Volunteers, where the children were able to learn a bit about the environment before going into the woods and doing several practical exercises.
In the next few months, more events are planned to encourage more visitors: a Summer Tree ID, for example, and a chance to hear the Dawn chorus.
Keep checking back to learn more about our Groundwork projects as they happen.
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